Author: Rhys Gregory

TV weather presenter Ruth Dodsworth has spoken out about her harrowing experience of domestic abuse to urge North Wales victims to take part in a new survey. The broadcaster who works for ITV Wales suffered a campaign of harassment and stalking during her 18-year marriage to Jonathan Wignall which saw her controlled financially, isolated from friends and family and “living in constant fear”. Her ex-husband was jailed for three years at Cardiff Crown Court in April last year and handed a restraining order against contacting Ruth after pleading guilty to one count of coercive and controlling behaviour and stalking. The…

Active Learning Group (ALG), a specialist experiential education company that gives young people immersive shared experiences through activity-based learning, is delighted to announce its third acquisition, the Towers, and its new range of mountain-based activities and experiences for young people to enjoy. The Towers will provide mountain trekking days, kayaking and climbing in the internationally recognised adventure sports playground of Snowdonia. To ensure the site is in keeping with the company’s highest of standards, a full, yet sympathetic, refurbishment is now underway with the aim of opening early next year. This joins Sealyham (ALG’s stunning coastal site, acquired last year)…

Plans which could potentially penalise cattle keepers who ‘fail to take notice’ of TB information when purchasing stock have been strongly opposed by the FUW in its response to the latest Welsh Government Refreshed TB Eradication Programme consultation. Risk Based Trading proposals contained within the consultation could mean that there are ‘implications’ for cattle keepers that make cattle purchases regardless of ‘highlighted risks’ in the TB information provided at point of sale. Dr Hazel Wright, FUW Senior Policy Officer said: “Although the consultation contains proposals for mandatory TB information at point of sale, it remains unclear what criteria would be…

The stage is set for the return of one of North Wales’ leading food and drink events. With the COVID pandemic putting the brakes on public gatherings, the plug was pulled on the 2020 and 2021 Mold Food & Drink festivals. Typically held in the market town every September, the extravaganza is a highlight in Flintshire’s events’ calendar. After a gloomy couple of years, organisers of the much-missed festival have revealed they have spent the last few months finding a way to bring the family-favourite back. Gwenan Roberts, co-chair of the Mold Food & Drink Festival organising committee, said: “Like…

A man who discovered he had terminal brain cancer after watching Channel 4’s 24 Hours in A&E, is the inspiration behind his family’s 10,000 Steps a Day in February Challenge. Glenn Farley, from Newport in South Wales, was just 51 when he died in November 2019, 19 months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, which turned out to be an aggressive glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Affectionately known as ‘Granchie Glenn’ by his grandchildren, Maise, seven and Lilly, three, he never go to meet youngest granddaughter, Ella, who is one. The keen Newport County A.F.C fan and steelworker at Orb Steelworks…

North Wales recruiters started the year on a high with new partnerships and expansion plans. The team at Colwyn Bay and Bangor-based Supertemps have been inundated with clients seeking employees in multiple industries over the winter months. Managing Director Sarah Ellwood says demand is increasing for staff in sectors including IT, hospitality, retail, and manufacturing, but warned bosses to move fast for fear of losing out on their ideal applicant. “The market has been candidate-driven for quite some time but since the onset of the pandemic it has reached new levels,” said Sarah. “Often businesses will have to make the…

MamGu Welshcakes is hosting a community speed chat fundraiser to raise money for the specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (sCAMHS) in North Pembrokeshire.  The event, “CWTCH 4 sCAMHS ” will be hosted at MamGu’s Cafe, Solva on February 18th. The event allows attendees to meet other members of their community while enjoying a fine selection of cocktails and Welsh cakes with conversations typically limited to less than five minutes. The tickets for the event are £10 each, and raffle tickets are £5 which includes some incredible prizes such as a 3 night stay at Galwad y Mor, Camping…

A Leisure & Tourism Management graduate from The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has been appointed as a Sales & Development Manager with the Ambassador Theatre Group at the new Swansea Arena. Rhiannon Boyce- Coles from Swansea will be working as part of a team to attract world-class music and theatre entertainment to the 3,500-capacity arena, which is being operated by Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) and is one part of the emerging £135 million Copr Bay phase one district being developed by Swansea Council and advised by development manager RivingtonHark. Rhiannon said she was looking forward to working…

The Royal Mint has launched a commemorative £2 coin celebrating 150 Years of the FA Cup, in partnership with The Football Association (The FA) during their landmark anniversary season. The collectable £2 coin features the iconic FA Cup trophy at the heart of the design and will take centre stage for the coin toss at the Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley on 14 May – the showpiece event of the most historic domestic football cup competition in the world. Designed by artists Matt Dent and Christian Davies, the coveted silverware appears in miniature on the £2 coin, combining The…

One of Wales’ only meat-free butcher and delicatessen is now open on Sundays and offering a click and collect service with over 300 different varieties of plant-based handmade cheese, meat, pies and sweets. First opened in August 2021, Karry’s Deli is run single-handedly by Karry Meyrick. Having been furloughed from her job as a swimming instructor during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, Karry took the opportunity to set-up her own business and was introduced to the Development Bank of Wales by Business in Focus. A £10,000 micro loan from the Development Bank then helped fund her start-up costs…